EVENT GROUP COMPLEX NUMBER ONE ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Niles stood looking at the old computer center used by the Event Group. The complex contained custom-made filing cabinets and shelving that stored a million or more accounts of historical, mythic, or legendary events— everything from the location of Atlantis to the incredible stories of yetis, the mythical beast of the Himalayas, to the suspected ancient power sources discovered by Egypt three thousand years before.

“Some computer center you have here, Mr. Director. A little bit behind the times, aren’t we?” Ryan asked as he ran a hand along one of the old filing cabinets.

“The information covered in these files, Lieutenant Ryan, is the whole of our ancient and modern world. Facts and stories, even rumors are stored here. The combined knowledge of the ancient world started this facility.”

“And you expect us to find something here, sir?” Ryan said as he brushed some dust off his hands.

“Actually, we have the Librarian. One of the first Crays ever installed in a government facility,” Niles said as he made his way over to a small cubicle. “At first it was one of those card-wielding Univac machines that we updated from time to time, but we eventually upgraded in 1980 to a system that was called, naturally enough, the Librarian.”

Niles used a key to open the door to the cubicle that sat in the middle of the gymnasium-size storage area. The room was dark and dank and had a musty smell that made Ryan wiggle his nose.

“Smells like the old Librarian may have kicked the proverbial bucket, sir.”

Niles ignored the comment and flipped on the overhead lights, illuminating the small computer station whose speakers were mounted on both sides of the large desk. There was only one chair and Niles sat in it. Ryan looked around and decided to just cross his arms and wait.

“The auditory system was installed two years ago by Pete and me to make research easier for historians of the group. I’m afraid this voice isn’t as feminine as what we have with Europa, but it’s kind of quaint.”

Ryan watched as Niles adjusted a microphone in front of him and pushed a small button, activating a small but adequate monitor pop-up on the right side of the desk.

“Let’s just hope what Professor Zachary erased on Europa back home is still in here.”

“Hello, Librarian,” Niles said into the microphone.

The monitor came to life as the speakers did.

Good afternoon, Dr. Compton, or would you like to be addressed as Director Compton now? the male voice asked, referring to his promotion since the last time they’d spoken.

To Ryan it sounded disturbingly like the voice of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the same computer that went nuts and killed everyone.

“Dr. Compton is fine. Librarian, can you access my last log-on to your sister system, Europa in Nevada?”

Yes, Dr. Compton, I can; I enjoy interfacing with Europa. “I imagine you do,” Ryan mumbled.